Meanwhile, Daniel was in the study, busy handling matters related to Joseph and the situation in Carcosa. He hadn’t checked his phone yet.
"Have you found out what Trenton really looks like?" Daniel asked Ashton.
Ashton, still recovering at home, had passed the task on to his team.
"Trenton’s hiding his appearance and movements on purpose. He’s always wearing a mask or in disguise. Very few people have seen his real face."
Daniel scrolled through the data on his laptop. "Are you sure these Carcosan businesses are his?"
The document on his screen showed a list of Trenton’s companies in Carcosa. The biggest ones were a cosmetics brand and a pharmaceutical firm.
"Yes, I’m very sure they’re Trenton’s businesses," Ashton replied.
"Bankrupt them," Daniel said coldly. If Trenton wanted to hide, Daniel would drag him out.
"Yes." Ashton began planning in his head. At the same time, he couldn’t help but feel a little bitter. Daniel and Chantelle seemed so in love.
Winning this battle would come at a huge cost. The Wilson Group Of Companies would lose billions.
But what Ashton didn’t know was that Daniel never made a move without a reason. Even if it meant losing money now, this step was the key to take over the Carcosan market.
Of course, Daniel didn’t explain any of that to Ashton. He would understand once the plan worked.
"Have you handled Camille yet?" Daniel asked. He didn’t want her bothering Chantelle while he was keeping his distance.
"She’s in the rural village now. I’m surprised how fast she got used to the place."
What Ashton didn’t mention was that Camille’s skin had already tanned several shades the moment she stepped off the plane.
He could just picture the village kids laughing at her.
"Deal with Joseph quickly," Daniel said before ending the call.
He needed to wrap things up with Joseph soon. If it dragged on any longer, he was worried Chantelle might misunderstand.
After finishing all the paperwork, Daniel walked out of the study. Through the floor-to-ceiling glass window, he saw Chantelle getting out of her car in the front yard. Only about thirty feet separated them.
The moment Daniel saw her face, the one he had missed so much, he felt an overwhelming urge to run to her and pull her into his arms.
She’s getting more and more beautiful. Even when she’s angry, she’s still beautiful.
The thought snapped Daniel back to reality. He quickly stepped aside to avoid being seen, even though his leg hurt badly. He didn’t want Chantelle to know he was injured.
He was standing in a shadowed area and assumed Chantelle hadn’t noticed him.
But from where she stood in the yard, Chantelle was stunned by his behavior.
I’m not blind, you know. I can see you clearly from head to toe. What’s the point of hiding? And why are you even hiding?
"Ms. Chantelle, Mr. Daniel said no one’s allowed to come without his permission," the butler said, blocking the door. He looked uncomfortable, clearly caught in the middle.
Chantelle clenched her teeth and called Daniel.
He answered almost right away. "Hi, Chantelle. Do you miss me?"
His tone was just as playful as always.
"Tell Steph to come out here," Chantelle said firmly, her eyes fixed on the wall inside the house. Something told her Daniel was hiding right behind it.
"Steph is taking a nap right now. Do you need my help to pass your message to her?" Daniel’s voice sounded clearly guilty.
Chantelle let out a cold grunt. "She’s my daughter, Mr. Wilson. Do I need a reason to take her home?"
"She’s our daughter," Daniel corrected her.
"Tell her to come out now. If not, I’m coming inside by force," Chantelle said in a threatening tone.
"Have you had dinner, Chantelle? How about I order a whole table of your favorite dishes for you..."
"I’m not hungry. Thanks for the offer though."
Daniel was stunned. He turned around and saw Chantelle standing right behind him.
He stepped back quickly and shouted, "Who let you in?"
"Mr. Wilson, you once told me I could come and go as I wanted. Did you forget it?" Chantelle said as her eyes scanned him from head to toe.
Daniel was covered in bandages, just like Oscar.
A sharp pain hit her chest. It hurt more than she expected.
Daniel didn’t respond. Instead, he ran into the nearest room and slammed the door shut.
"Next time, don’t come in without my permission. That’s trespassing."
"I’m trespassing, huh? So what are you going to do about it?" Chantelle said as she twisted the doorknob. It was already locked.
"Mr. Charles! Get the bodyguards to escort Chantelle out!" Daniel shouted from inside.
The butler didn’t move. Rai was staring straight at him sharply, making him flinched.
All he could do was stand there as Kane handed Chantelle the spare key.
Just as Chantelle was about to unlock the door, Stephanie appeared beside her and gently took her hand. "Don’t go inside, Mommy."
Chantelle looked at her in surprise. "Why?"
"Daddy doesn’t want you to go near him. It’s for your own good," Stephanie said softly.
She remembered how Daniel had warned Philip and the other researchers over and over not to let Chantelle find out he was carrying the virus. She wasn’t going to break that rule.
Chantelle glanced at Kane and Rai. They both nodded slowly, looking guilty.
So... they all know what’s going on. And I’m the only one who doesn’t, she thought.
"Mr. Wilson, if you don’t want to tell me, then keep it to yourself for the rest of your life. We’ll go our separate ways, and you can marry the woman you love," Chantelle said coldly. She tossed the keys aside and turned toward the front door.
She walked slowly at first, waiting for the sound of the door opening behind her. When she didn’t hear anything, she picked up her pace.
By the time she reached her car and opened the door, she saw Daniel again, standing behind the curtain, in the same spot she saw him when they arrived.
"Mommy, please don’t blame Daddy," Kane said softly as he and Rai followed her.
Stephanie stood silently beside Daniel.
Chantelle gave a short laugh, raised her left hand, and flipped him off.
Chantelle didn’t take Kane and Rai back to Western Hill Villa. Instead, she brought them to Silver Crest Global District.
But the moment she opened the door, a terrible smell hit her. She instinctively stepped back and shut the door.
"Uncle Philip, Auntie Thea, are you cooking poop? Have you ever thought about our poor neighbors?" Kane complained, holding his nose.